I used to dread networking. It felt so draining to meet with complete strangers, engage in small talk, smile, and be social. Then there was the stressful 60-second pitch where you had to ‘sell yourself’ in the most compelling way, with all eyes on you, palms sweating, and your mind forgetting what to say. It was undoubtedly a step out of my comfort zone, but I believed that in the long run, it would bring me clients and help my business grow.
And it did.
Today, I want to share with you five strategies for successful networking as an introvert. Once implemented, these strategies will make the networking experience feel effortless.
5 simple strategies for successful networking as an introvert
1) Prepare Your Pitch:
Most of the time when I was stressed about my turn in the 60-second pitch round, it was because I wasn’t entirely prepared. I thought it would be easy to just say my name and what I do. However, listening to other participants often caused self-doubt, and I started to fear that I would make a bad first impression. Typical overthinker approach, right? So, it’s good to have your little speech prepared. Here’s what you can say:
Basic: State your name, your business, and who you help. This is pretty self-explanatory.
“Good morning, everyone. My name is Magda. I’m a Marketing Coach and Website Designer. I work with introverted solopreneurs, helping them thrive in a noisy and crowded online world. I believe in marketing that is simple and aligned with your unique personality. So, if you don’t like doing social media, I can show you other ways to stand out on the internet. My main areas of expertise are SEO-Optimised WordPress Website Design, Email Marketing, and 1-1 Marketing Coaching. If you need assistance in developing a simple marketing strategy for your small business, come and chat with me. I’m Magda, a Marketing Coach and Website Designer.”
Advanced: Start with a question to grab people’s attention, something related to what you do to intrigue others or a question that resonates immediately with the challenges your ideal client faces.
“Are you using social media for your business? How often do you find yourself going on Facebook or Instagram to post ‘something,’ only to find yourself wasting time scrolling through the feed, feeling overwhelmed and full of self-doubt half an hour later? My name is Magda, and I help my clients use social media intentionally by developing marketing strategies aligned with their personalities. I primarily work with introverted solopreneurs who value genuine connections over quick and instant social media posting. Together, we make online marketing easy, simple, and fun. If you’re done with the social media rollercoaster and lack of results, come and chat with me. I’m Magda, a Marketing Coach for Introverted Solopreneurs.”
Safe: Share one of your client’s stories. The best thing about this strategy is that you talk about what you do without talking about yourself, taking the pressure off and reducing the uncomfortable feeling of being put on the spot.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Magda, a Marketing Coach and Website Designer, and today I want to tell you about one of my clients, Rosie. She came to me seeking guidance to transform from a blogger to a coach. She had a very popular blog, with her website receiving over 2,000 visits per month. She was ready not only to monetize her content but also to offer her advice via 1-1 coaching. Together, we identified her ideal client and the challenges they were facing. This allowed us to craft a compelling offer to convert readers into coaching clients. Today, she still writes her blog consistently, but on top of this, she runs a thriving coaching business. If you’re looking to upgrade your business, come chat with me about developing a simple yet effective marketing strategy tailored to your needs. My name is Magda, and I’m a Marketing Coach and Website Designer.”
Expert: Share a useful tip.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Magda, a Marketing Coach and Website Designer. You’ve probably heard of someone who was banned from their own social media page and lost access to all the followers they gathered over the years. This happened to one of my clients overnight, with no way to recover. Luckily, she already had a newsletter with a loyal audience, allowing her to continue spreading her message and promoting her business. Do not rely solely on social media. Your profile or page on social media is not yours, and you don’t control it, unlike an email list. I strongly recommend getting your email marketing in order, and if you need help, come and talk to me. I’m Magda, a Marketing Coach and Website Designer.”
I always have one of these pitches prepared, and depending on how I feel on the day or the type of crowd at the event, they are my go-to options. They don’t feel salesy, and I can also tweak them a bit as I speak. Being prepared with a pitch is a game-changer for successful networking as an introvert.
2) Speak to One Person
This strategy works particularly well if you’ve had some time to chat with people before the event starts. If you’ve spotted someone you’d like to work with or they’ve shared struggles you know you can help them with, tailor your pitch as if you were talking to one person instead of addressing everyone in the room. This personal approach can resonate with others as well. If you can make one successful connection that turns into a paying client from that networking event, try this strategy. It really works.
3) Go to Make Friends
My first networking event was with the hope of finding clients, as I was new in the solo business and eager to secure my first paying customer. However, this approach not only made me feel stressed but also inauthentic. People can sense desperation and when you’re trying to sell them something. Once I changed my attitude to view networking as something fun and interesting, everything changed. I genuinely became interested in people’s businesses, not because I wanted something from them, but because I was really curious about their journeys and stories. There’s always something new to learn from others, or you can inspire someone to take action on something they hadn’t considered. This way, you get noticed and remembered. I now find new content ideas every time I go networking! Plus, in just two years, I gained the friendships I yearned for when I started my solo business journey.
A side note: consider whether you like the people in the room, not just whether they like you. This will help you determine which networking group is right for you, which is especially important for introverts.
4) Be Consistent
Networking, just like any marketing strategy, is about the know-like-trust factor. It’s rare that you attend once and immediately secure business. Most people need to see you more than once to recognise you and consider working with you. For some, the decision may take weeks or even months. Some of my clients reached out to me a year after we first met. They weren’t ready then, but now, when they need a website or marketing coaching, they come to me because I’ve been on their radar for a while. So, be consistent and once you choose your preferred group in the area, stick to it and commit to attending regularly.
5) Take Breaks
There was a time when I overcommitted to networking events, thinking I could handle three in one week. However, I soon discovered that I needed at least one day to recover and recharge my energy. This is especially important for introverts. It’s better to skip a meeting and come to the next one with a positive attitude and social batteries recharged, rather than attending just for the sake of it when your mind is too tired to engage in chit-chat or deliver a stand-up 60-second pitch.
In summary
Networking has become one of my primary strategies for acquiring clients, supported by compelling messaging on my website and social media, as well as follow-ups with people I see opportunities to collaborate with. It has worked wonders for my business. However, I always respect my unique introverted nature. I take time to recover and avoid social situations when I feel low, tired, or simply not up for it. After all, I am a human being, not a machine, and I understand that to move forward, sometimes you need to slow down or say ‘no’ to commitments that don’t serve you.
I hope these tips help you prepare for your first or another networking event and thrive as an introvert in this sometimes uncomfortable environment. With practice, you’ll discover that you can enjoy networking, and you’ll realise that many of us also struggle in social situations like these. Good luck!
You can stand out in a noisy and crowded online world and thrive as an introvert. All you need is a strategy aligned with your unique personality.
I work with Ambitious Introverted Solopreneurs who value genuine connections and aim to make a heartfelt impact without feeling overwhelmed. If you’re seeking assistance in crafting compelling copy, developing an easy yet effective content marketing strategy, and staying accountable for your goals, let’s meet for a Clarity Session.
